The San Francisco Giants traded veteran starter Ross Stripling and cash considerations across the Bay to the Oakland Athletics for minor league outfielder Jonah Cox. Stripling is scheduled to earn $12.5 million this season. Jonah Bride was designated for assignment to fill room on the 40-man roster. The A’s also confirmed their reported one-year deal with southpaw Alex Wood.
Rare Trade Between the Two Bay Area Clubs
Indeed, it is a rare trade between the A’s and the Giants. It’s a move that will help Oakland add some much-needed depth to the roster. Stripling is coming off a rough season after inking a two-year, $25 million deal with San Francisco. The right-hander opened the season with a 7.24 ERA in 32 1/3 innings, switching between the rotation and bullpen. Then he hit the injured list with a back strain for six weeks. However, he finished his first year, posting a 5.36 ERA over 89 innings. Stripling’s contract did come with the ability to opt-out following the season, but he chose to stay with the Giants.
Ross Stripling Career
Stripling has served as a swingman for the majority of his career. He was often used as a sixth starter with the Los Angeles Dodgers or the Toronto Blue Jays, who acquired him at the 202 trade deadline. 2022 saw Stripling fill a full-time rotation role after Hyun Jin Ryu was out from Tommy John surgery. The veteran righty helped the Blue Jays rotation for most of the season, posting a 2.93 ERA in 123 1/3 innings out of the rotation. His results were everything the Blue Jays wanted out of him.
In Stripling, the A’s have a versatile arm with success in various roles. He won’t overpower that many hitters, but he offers a solid 43.8% grounder rate and some of the best command in baseball.
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